Astronomy Education Specialist

The Communications, Education and Engagement (CEE) team is looking for a full-time astronomy Astronomy Education Specialist who will lead in the development and implementation of data-centric educational materials for broader dissemination to US and international educators as well as educators in NOIRLab’s host communities (Arizona, Hawaii and Chile) including using real data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and other NOIRLab facilities. The successful candidate will also have a demonstrated ability to perform evaluation and testing of programs and materials developed.

The successful candidate will have recent experience as a full time educator, be familiar with the US national science standards (NGSS), and have experience with designing educational materials or lessons. The candidate should also have a demonstrated ability to conduct teacher training and will conduct evaluation and testing of programs and materials developed.

This position will work under the Arizona Education & Engagement Manager and lead in the development, and implementation of, new and existing educational programming. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team distributed across the three NOIRLab sites in Arizona, Hawaii and Chile. CEE consists of about 20 professional staff covering all aspects of communications, formal and informal educational programming with a strong emphasis on local outreach to host communities and NOIRLab’s national and international partners. The position is located at NOIRLab’s Headquarters in Tucson, Arizona.

Responsibilities include:

• Setting up assessment and evaluation tools and processes for key NOIRLab education and engagement programming and materials
• Development of new educational professional development materials and resources which focus on real data from NOIRLab facilities utilizing relevant instructional design concepts
• Pilot testing, evaluation and assessment of materials and programs and managing changes/updates as necessary
• Integration of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for materials targeting US educators and adaptation for Chilean educational standards and other NOIRLab partner countries
• Coordination and development of teacher training workshops and virtual teacher training materials
• Working with NOIRLab scientific staff to identify appropriate data for integration into educational materials

Minimum Qualifications:

• 4-year degree in astronomy, physical science education or related
• 5 years of recent experience in middle/high school classroom education
• Certification in a field of physical science education
• Experience with conducting teacher training workshops (professional development)
• Demonstrated ability to understand and integrate NGSS and instructional design concepts into classroom materials and resources
• Demonstrated familiarity with modern astronomy concepts, and technology
• Demonstrated familiarity with technologies and software systems used in typical US classrooms
• Excellent written and oral communications skills

Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, astronomy or related field
• Familiarity with Chilean culture and Spanish language
• Demonstrated familiarity with astronomy data

Desired Experience:

• Curriculum/educational materials development and implementation
• Development and implementation of teacher workshops focusing on middle-high school educators
• Experience developing data-driven educational materials for middle-high school teachers and students
• Real-world assessment of educational materials, including formative and summative evaluation techniques and methodologies for informal science education materials

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to gain knowledge of educational standards in most or all NOIRLab partner countries.
• Ability to travel internationally
• Valid US or international drivers license with clean driving record

All applicants must submit a cover letter with their CV that describes their interest in this position and their relevant experience. Please include a list of 3 professional references with contact information.Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at [email protected]

Preference will be given to qualified internal applicants.

For full consideration, please submit your completed application by 1 October 2021.

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA and all of the centers, do not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws.